What is the 9th week of pregnancy and which month is it? What do the ultrasound images show? Can the abdomen at 9 weeks of pregnancy remain the same, although the size of the embryo is normal? What to do when the 9th week of pregnancy has started but no symptoms?
The second trimester is slowly approaching, and the third month of pregnancy begins. The ninth week sees continued intensive embryo development, with varying degrees of pregnancy discomfort. Frequent questions about miscarriage symptoms at this stage indicate that the ninth week of pregnancy can be a time of anxiety for expectant mothers, and it's worth addressing any concerns.
What does the 9th week of pregnancy look like on an ultrasound?
The embryonic length (CRL) at 9 weeks of pregnancy is 16 mm at the beginning and 23 mm after six days. Therefore, the future baby continues to grow by 1 mm per day in the 9th week, and determining the CRL during an ultrasound allows for precise calculation of the gestational age. At later stages, this becomes more difficult because various fetal dimensions and the relationships between them are assessed. For example, it is impossible to determine the gestational age in the 9th month of pregnancy based solely on the growth of the unborn child.
Ultrasound images from the 9th week of pregnancy reveal more facial details than in previous weeks: lips, eyes, and ears, giving the embryo a more human appearance. The biggest change is the appearance of fingers and toes, while the tail should have completely disappeared. Internal organs are largely formed, and some are beginning to function. The embryo already has reproductive organs, although they cannot yet be visualized on ultrasound to determine the sex. The head in the images is still very large – 9 weeks of pregnancy is a time when the brain and nervous system are developing very rapidly. Because the legs are still tucked in, the embryo's size is determined by the CLR, or the length from the buttocks to the head. Involuntary muscle contractions cause the baby to begin moving for the first time in the 9th week of pregnancy, although the expectant mother certainly won't feel it yet.
9 weeks pregnant - does the belly begin to grow?
Although embryonic development is nearing its end, the unborn child is still called an embryo or foetus at 9 weeks of pregnancy. A woman's abdomen often remains unchanged, although a slight bulge in its lower part may become noticeable in the 9th week of pregnancy. A slight bulge in the abdomen is the result of the stretching abdominal wall, the slowly growing uterus, and bloating associated with slowed intestinal peristalsis – the size of the embryo at 9 weeks has no effect on this yet. However, a linea negra , a darker line running vertically from top to bottom, may appear on the abdomen.
Even if the belly starts to show slightly under tight clothes in the 9th week of pregnancy , it is difficult to tell from the figure of the future mother not only what week or month it is, but also whether she is expecting a baby at all - especially if it is not accompanied by typical symptoms and the belly was rounded earlier.
Ninth week of pregnancy - what symptoms to expect?
The following symptoms are possible in the 9th week of pregnancy:
- worsening or changing mood
- Headache,
- darker discoloration on the face (chloasma),
- breast enlargement, visualization of the blood vessel network, darkening of the nipple areola,
- nausea,
- tendency to eat certain products and aversion to others,
- lowering libido.
Emotional changes become very noticeable during the ninth week of pregnancy – expectant mothers may complain of poor memory, unusually vivid dreams, or a sense of overload. Physical symptoms, such as nausea, often reach their peak at this stage. Doctors believe several factors are responsible for the frequent, infamous pregnancy cravings at this stage . The first is sensitivity to smells combined with nausea, which can cause symptoms like reaching for completely different foods or products in the ninth week of pregnancy. The second explanation is deficiency: magnesium deficiency can be quickly remedied by chocolate or nuts, while pickled foods are rich in vitamin C. Therefore, while you shouldn't eat for two during pregnancy, it's worth following your cravings, as they can provide clues to your body's nutrient needs.
In the 9th week of pregnancy, the first signs of abdominal enlargement may be accompanied by slight tension or pain in this area , although these symptoms should not be more intense than before - for example, during premenstrual syndrome.
9 weeks pregnant and no symptoms: is it possible?
While symptoms in the 9th week of pregnancy can be very bothersome, paradoxically, their absence can also be a cause for concern for expectant mothers. Most often, however, there's nothing to worry about. Symptoms often become more severe at a specific point in pregnancy , while earlier or later they may be much less bothersome.
Some women who are 9 weeks pregnant do not experience any symptoms typical of this period, but are full of energy. Sometimes, however, work or a load of other duties and the associated stress mean that in the frenzy of everyday activities, we do not pay attention to the signs of pregnancy or the lack of them.
Possible complications in the 9th week of pregnancy
Expectant mothers are particularly concerned about miscarriage, and this also applies to the ninth week of pregnancy. A doctor diagnoses a miscarriage when the fetus's heart stops beating (even if the heartbeat was visible earlier) or if subsequent ultrasounds show that the fetus is not developing. Symptoms of a miscarriage in the ninth week of pregnancy may include sudden hemorrhage and severe pain or stabbing pain in the abdomen. However, until the diagnosis is confirmed, do not expect the worst. The risk of miscarriage symptoms in the ninth week of pregnancy is estimated at less than 5 percent , and this decreases in subsequent weeks. Mild lower abdominal pain associated with the gradual stretching of the uterus should not cause concern for expectant mothers, while spotting may still occur due to hormonal changes and the exceptional sensitivity of the reproductive tract at this time. The absence of symptoms in the ninth week of pregnancy also does not indicate a miscarriage.
9th week: how to take care of yourself?
- In order not to risk weakness or fainting due to lowered blood pressure during pregnancy, it is important to give your body regular rest.
- Although some future mothers can boast of a smooth and radiant complexion, it often starts to cause problems at this stage - blemishes and prone to irritation may appear, so it is recommended to use mild, hypoallergenic cosmetics.
- Considering the enlargement and changes in the breast area, it is worth looking for a suitable bra that will ensure comfort and proper support.
Consultation:
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl – resident physician during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
Źródła:
Fetal Size and Dating: Charts Recommended for Clinical Obstetric Practice, ULTRASOUND, August 2009, Volume 17, No. 3
Estimating Fetal Gestational Age, Radiology Key
